Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry’s Movers and Shakers!
1. Emirates SkyCargo appoints new VP for Worldwide Operations
Henrik Ambak.
Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has appointed Henrik Ambak to the position of Senior Vice President, Cargo Operations Worldwide. Henrik, a Danish national, took up his new position in Dubai earlier this month.
He joins Emirates SkyCargo after having spent the past 27 years in various roles in the air cargo industry, having worked for companies such as Novia, CSLux and Cargolux Airlines.
“Henrik has vast experience in the air cargo industry and this will make him a great addition to our team. He joins us at an exciting time when we are experiencing good growth, particularly with the recent start of freighter operations at Emirates SkyCentral and the expansion of our current facilities at Dubai International.
“I am proud to be joining a market leader with a strong vision of growth for the future and I look forward to being a part of the Emirates SkyCargo team and contributing to its continued success.”
Henrik Ambak
2. New GM for Stamford Plaza Adelaide
Atanas Botev.
Karl Unterfrauner, Stamford Hotels Area GM and VP Operations is pleased to announce the appointment of highly experienced hotelier Atanas Botev to the role of General Manager, Stamford Plaza Adelaide.
Immediately prior to relocating to Adelaide, he held management positions at London’s iconic 5 star May Fair Hotel with 404 rooms, cinema and casino where he oversaw preparation and execution of the hotel’s Olympics strategy.
Mr Botev moved to Adelaide with his wife and two children.
3. New Country Manager Australia for Aircalin
Brett Walsh.
Aircalin has appointed a new Country Manager Australia, effective first January 2015.
Brett Walsh brings Aircalin more than twenty years of experience within the Australian Travel Industry, including six years working with leading Australian consolidators and more than fifteen years with International airlines.
“You can continue to expect the same commitment and dedication that I have shown in more than four years that I have worked with Aircalin.”
“I plan to continue the growth of tourism to beautiful New Caledonia flying Aircalin, now with twelve flights per week departing Australia from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.”
Brett Walsh
Brett will continue to work closely with our trade partners to create even stronger relationships to benefit all organisations.
4. Skyscanner appoints Adam Drake as Chief Data Officer
Adam Drake.
Leading global travel search site Skyscanner has appointed Adam Drake to the newly created role of Chief Data Officer.
Reporting to CEO and co-founder Gareth Williams, Adam will head up a newly-formed data science team, incorporating Skyscanner’s Business Intelligence and data science functions. The position has been created in recognition of the central role that data products provide at Skyscanner for internal and travel partner use.
Skyscanner’s products for the travel industry were launched last year, with the company’s Business Intelligence team playing a central role in transforming a wealth of global data on consumer flight habits into insights to support the travel industry in strategic decision-making. Adam will oversee the creation of further travel data products for the benefit of travellers and the travel industry.
“Travel is about people moving in time and place – and data products make travel more efficient. Adam joins us to set the standard for the future of travel data products.”
Gareth Williams, CEO Skyscanner
5. New head of online marketing at Helloworld
helloworld.com.au has further strengthened its team with the appointment of Jeff Garton to the new role of head of online marketing, effective immediately.
Mr Garton brings significant domestic and international experience to the position. He joins helloworld.com.au from Living Social, where he held the position of Director of Digital Marketing.
Mr Garton has also held senior management roles at Webjet including Head of Digital Marketing & Business Development at WebJet Marketing North America LLC and Marketing Manager at WebJet in Australia and New Zealand, where he was responsible for the strategic direction and management of all marketing channels.
Jeremy Reitman CEO of helloworld.com.au says he is delighted to have a professional of Jeff’s high calibre join the helloworld.com.au team.
“Jeff’s experience in working with start-up businesses and leading online businesses here and internationally will build on the expertise of our helloworld.com.au team and our ability to deliver for helloworld’s agents.”
Jeremy Reitman, helloworld.com.au chief executive
6. Meet Qantas’ new non-executive director
Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford has announced the appointment of Todd Sampson as a non-executive director to the Board of Qantas Airways Limited, with effect from 25 February 2015.
Welcoming Mr Sampson, Mr Clifford said the appointment would provide board-level marketing expertise for one of Australia’s most enduring and recognised brands.
Mr Sampson has a diverse range of expertise in marketing communication, new media and digital transformation. An Australian citizen, he has an MBA and is currently the National CEO of the Leo Burnett Group.
“Todd will bring a wealth of marketing experience to the Qantas Board, as well as broader business acumen from the senior leadership and strategy roles he has held.”
Leigh Clifford, Qantas chairman